APNewsBreak: Pentagon to recommend Neller as Marine chief

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter will recommend naming Lt. Gen. Robert Neller, a commander who served in Iraq's western province during one of the most violent periods of the war, as the next commandant of the Marine Corps, officials said Wednesday.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the recommendation before the announcement.

The Neller nomination is among a host of changes to the military leadership in coming months, including news chiefs of the Navy and Army. A new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is due to take office Oct. 1. Gen. Joseph Dunford has been nominated for that post.

Neller was deputy commander in Anbar province from 2005-2007. That region has again taken on key importance in the current battle against the Islamic State group in Iraq.

Neller also was director for worldwide military operations on the Joint Staff from 2011-2012. Last year, he was named head of Marine Corps Forces command.